[Info-vax] Price/Value of Used VAX 4000/700

[Richard B. Gilbert]

On 10/24/2011 2:23 AM, Hans Vlems wrote:
> On Oct 23, 6:18 pm, "Richard B. Gilbert"<rgilber... at comcast.net>
> wrote:
>> On 10/22/2011 11:28 PM, Howard S Shubs wrote:
>>
>>> In article<pan.2011.10.21.16.57.15.932... at swbell.net>,
>>>    Jim Hopkins<bwana... at swbell.net>    wrote:
>>
>>>> Thanks to all for the input. I think I will probably just offer to
>>>> haul it off after initalizing the disks in their presence to clear
>>>> the data, which is probably their main concern. I'll likely have some
>>>> hardware questions for the group if and when I get it.
>>
>>> We'll be here.
>>
>> Initializing the disk DOES NOT remove any data on the disk.  It does
>> make it a little difficult to access the data but it's by no means
>> impossible.  What it does do is remove the pointers to the data.
>>
>> If you want to remove your data, write all ones to every byte in every
>> block.  Then right all zeros to every byte in every block.
>>
>> This WILL NOT stop the CIA or the FBI from recovering data from the
>> disk.  If you need to need to prevent access to the data on that level,
>> Google for "DOD Erase".
>>
>> Or bake the disk at 500 degrees Fahrenheit for two hours.  This should
>> guarantee that the magnetic domains have all been randomized.
>>
>> Better yet, don't commit anything secret to disk or tape.
>
> Baking a disk at 500 degrees Fahrenheit very likely demagnetizes the
> magnetic coating.
> IIRC magnetic materials have an attribute called the Curie temperature
> above which the
> material (permanently?) looses its magnetic properties. If so, then
> your method will both
> destroy the data on the disk as well as its usability!
> Writing all ones, or all zeroes or any random bit pattern to all
> blocks on a disk is not sufficient
> then?
> Hans

Once you have written random bit patterns to all sectors on the disk,
the disk is unreadable *by normal means*.  The intelligence agencies can 
recover some data from the disk.  It's not easy but it can be done.
That is why the DOD Erase procedure was developed.

Most people do not need this level of security!!!!!!!!!